Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the St. Ann Health Department is an example of an organization which prides itself on results, rather than one that succumbs to challenges.
He was speaking at the St. Ann Health Department Staff Recognition Awards Ceremony held at the Sandcastles Resort, Ocho Rios, on June 17.
Some 22 staff members were recognized for their outstanding work and professionalism at the function.
Those recognized include: Chief Public Health Inspector, Leroy Scott who served for 26 years; Parish Manager, Bentley Steer for 43 years of service; Willette Crooks, Mental Officer for 22 years of service; Kaywan Barrett, Human Resource Officer who served for 18 years; and Julien Haynes, Parish Health Records Technician for 17 years of service.
Dr. Tufton pointed to the health department’s third place ranking in the national 2015 Expanded Programme of Immunizations (EPI) Coverage as testament of “an efficiently run organization”.
“This is an organization that has not only risen above the challenges, but one that continues to be of great service to the people of the garden parish,” Dr. Tufton observed.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister noted that there are several health services and programmes offered within the parish through a network of health facilities.
These, he said, include: Maternal and Child Health- Antenatal, post natal, Immunization, Dental, Nutrition, Community Mental Health, Surveillance, Curative, Health Education and Promotion, Surveillance of Class 1 Disease/Health Events, Chronic Diarrhoeal Disease Programme, Rheumatic Fever/RHD, Tuberculosis and Hansen’s Disease, and Chronic Non-communicable Diseases.
“In 2013/2014, the data shows 85,385 visits accessing curative service while 53,949 accessing pharmaceuticals,” Dr. Tufton said.
The Minister noted that the St. Ann Health Department has a strong partnership with overseas medical missions, explaining that some 15 of them visit each year, offering various services such as eye care, cancer awareness, dental care and family planning.
“The (department) has also built a strong partnership with the private sector especially within the tourism sector which has contributed significantly to the vector control efforts in the parish,” Dr. Tufton added.
He noted that the staff recognition ceremony was timely as “I want to encourage all staff members to continue to work hard and to give of their best in order to improve the health services that are being offered to our population.”
“Let me congratulate all those are being recognized once more and to wish for you all the best,” Dr. Tufton stated.